97-year-old John Middlemas kneels in a photo originally posted by his grandson Brennan Gilmore on Sunday, September 24, 2017.

97-year-old John Middlemas kneels in a photo originally posted by his grandson Brennan Gilmore on Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Photo: Brennan Gilmore/Twitter

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San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, left, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneel during the national anthem before an NFL game on Sept. 12, 2016.

San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, left, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneel during the national anthem before an NFL game on Sept. 12, 2016.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, STF

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 24, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, left, kneels as teammate Mark Canha, right, looks on during the National Anthem before the start of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Bruce Maxwell of the Oakland Athletics has become the first major league baseball player to kneel during the national anthem. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, left, kneels as teammate Mark Canha, right, looks on during the National Anthem before the start of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 24, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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Members of the Indiana Fever kneel during the playing of the national anthem before the start of of a first round WNBA playoff basketball game, against the Phoenix Mercury, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) less

Members of the Indiana Fever kneel during the playing of the national anthem before the start of of a first round WNBA playoff basketball game, against the Phoenix Mercury, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, in ... more

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

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Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) kneels on the field after the Texans came up short on third down against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxbourough, Mass. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) kneels on the field after the Texans came up short on third down against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) kneels on the field after the Texans came up short on third down against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxbourough, Mass. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) kneels on the field after the Texans came up short on third down against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette

Several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Photo: Michael Dwyer, Associated Press

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Baltimore Ravens players kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) less

Baltimore Ravens players kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP ... more

Photo: Matt Dunham, Associated Press

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97-year-old WWII vet takes a knee to support NFL players

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The wave of silent protest began with Colin Kaepernick, swept the professional sports world and caught fire on Twitter. But one #TakeAKnee participant has generated more buzz than most: an elderly "Missouri farmer" who served in World War II.

The hashtag gained steam on Sunday, particularly after president Donald Trump publicly criticized the NFL for allowing football players to kneel during the national anthem.

Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag --- we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

When 97-year-old John Middlemas decided he wanted to join in the movement, his grandson, Twitter user Brennan Gilmore, tweeted out a photo of him posing on one knee. "Those kids have every right to protest," Gilmore quotes Middlemas as saying.

As of Sunday afternoon, the original tweet had racked up nearly 200,000 likes.

Gilmore later elaborated on his grandfather's beliefs, tweeting that Middlemas is a longtime social justice advocate. Middlemas himself attributed his support of civil rights to the time he spent in the military, working on submarines alongside black servicemen, according to a profile in the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader.

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Other veterans and members of military families who supported the #TakeAKnee movement said they didn't see the act as unpatriotic. Oakland A's rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell, the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem, said his love for his country was the very thing that compelled him to take a knee.

"My hand was over my heart because I love this country and I have family members, including my father, who bled for this country, and who continue to serve," Maxwell told the Chronicle on Sunday. "I am and forever will be an American citizen and grateful to be here, but my kneeling is what's getting the attention, and I'm kneeling for the people who don't have a voice."

Kaepernick initially knelt to protest police brutality against people of color.

Later on Sunday, Trump defended his harsh condemnations, which had "nothing to do with race," according to the Associated Press. The real issue, he said, is "respect for our country and respect for our flag."